Siri rubbed her temples in frustration as the followers of the apocalypse continued to argue with her. "He is willing to compromise.", she tried reasoning with them.

"Compromise?! So now he'll only nail people he REALLY hates to crosses!", Arcade shouted at her.

"He promised to put an end to slavery after the war is over", Siri said.

"How do we know he'll keep his word", Julie spoke up, "He can't be trusted."

"He'll keep his word", Titas said as he stepped forward from where he had previously stood silently next to her.

"And how do we know we can trust you?", A follower said with venom in their voice, "You were one of those fuckers!"

"You're right.", Siri said to the follower,"He was, but not anymore."

"Siri, look at me", Julie said in a calmer voice than before, "Before the bombs fell they had a name for people like Starved dog. They were called warlords and they were hated and feared by everyone and for good reason. If we want to bring back civilization than we can't allow people like him be in charge."

"Well this isn't before the great war. Before the great was they didn't have super mutants and deathclaws. Before the war they didn't have bandits just waiting to kill your family and take all you have.", Titas spoke up, "This is now and right now we need stability not freedom."

This only caused more arguing between them.

"Alright! We all have work to do.", Siri said, "Titas and I need to get back to Starved dog. Just please think about we said."

Siri didn't wait for response as she and Titas left the tent and than the mormon fort. No one bothered them as they headed for the lucky 38, no one wanted to harm Caesar's personal slaves.

Nearly everyone who was in Vegas when the legion took over had not taken well to no power, but for the legionaries it was just it usually was for them.

Siri's eyes wondered to the large pile of ashes in the center of the strip that had been a great funeral pyre just the night before. Starved dog hadn't wanted to give a speech and announce a feast now that his army had plenty of food from the strip. "Pretty words don't win wars and we must ration our food.", he had said to her but she had eventually convinced him it would do more to win over his men. The three of them had managed to hammer out a speech together in time. After he had lit the pyre on fire he looked across at the sea of legionaries and kings while Siri had watched from out a window of the lucky 38. "WE HAVE BLED, AND STARVE TOGETHER", He said to his men, WE HAVE LOST FRIENDS AND BROTHERS AND WE WILL LOSE MORE IN BATTLES TO COME. BUT TONIGHT LET US CELEBRATE WHILE WE STILL BREATH! TO OUR FIRST GREAT VICTORY!"

After that the legionaries had feasted like starving wolves and fucked like rabbits. Even the kings began to join in, surprised to see a lighter side to the grim and serious legionaries. Siri just tried to block out screams as women were raped again and again, being passed around by tunic wearing soldiers. The king had been enraged by that but Starved dog made sure no Freeside women were harmed so all he could really do was keep his own men in line.

A few legionaries were still eating left over brahmin from the night before and we're drinking (water of course, Starved dog had destroyed all the alcohol and drugs within hours).

Her and Titas walked into the lucky 38.

"No! NO! YOU CAN'T DO THIS!", a white haired old woman shouted as she was dragged out by two legionaries, "LET ME GO YOU ROCK BASHING SAVAGES!"

"Who was that, master?", Siri asked, very concerned about what was going on but had to keep up the appearance of a his loyal slave. She quickly scanned the room and saw no one but the three of them and a few legion mongrels. The only legionaries that had stood guard were the two who had just dragged the woman out. It was safe for her to speak freely now, away from prying eyes.

"A whore by the name of McLafferty", Starved dog spat, "She offered us her caravan's service. I ordered her limbs broken and than lashed to a cross."

"Why?", Siri asked in frustration, "She offered us her help."

"She would have stabbed us in the back to the highest bidder the second she got the chance", Starved dog said, "These people must learn what loyalty means."

"What is the point of us advising you if you make all your decisions without us?", Siri asked.

"When I need your council I will ask, but when I do not, I won't.", He replied before changing the subject, "What do the followers think of our compromise?"

"They won't get off their high horse and are unwilling to compromise", Siri said. She made sure to be honest but to also keep it vague enough that she could work around him if need be.

"I promise them peace and even their freedom. What more do they want?", Starved dog asked in frustration.

"They think you'll betray them", Titas said, "They see you as another Vulpes."

"It may help if you would actually go and talk with them instead of sending us.", Siri suggested with a certain amount of sass in her tone.

"I am the Caesar. I can not be seen speaking with recently captured profligates."

Siri sighed in frustration. "Fine.", she said, "Could you at least tell us about your overall strategy to win this war?"

Starved dog looked her in the eyes, "You do not need to know that."

"It might help you gain support if we treated them with a little trust and respect", Siri countered.

Starved dog was silent for several seconds before he finally spoke, "We will hold here. The NCR are preparing a counter attack as we speak to retake Vegas. They will throw their men against us like waves against a rock. Word will spread to Vulpes and Lanius's army, one way or another. Their men will remember the purpose of the legion and will join our cause. Than we shall win."

Siri looked at him dumb founded, " Are you insane? What if the NCR win and do retake Vega-"

"They won't."

"They might" Siri countered, " You put to much faith in the legion and doubt the power of the NCR."

She looked to Titas to support her.

Titas looked to Starved dog, "It wouldn't hurt to have a plan B."

"Fine", Starved dog admitted.

"That's it?"

"I asked for your council. You gave it. I agree now.", Starved dog said.

"Well.. alright than", Siri said,thinking about what to do next. "I'm going to go check on Melody and Chief", she said before heading to one of the upper floors.

...